Product: Yamaha DP 100 Dynamic Processor
Price Paid: Deutschmarks DM 208
Submitted
11/09/1998
at
05:03am
by
Paul Knight
Email: paul<dot>knight at gmx<dot>de
Ease of Use
:
9
The DP 100 Dynamic Processor is part of the Yamaha range of half-rack products.
The front panel features separate controls for Channel A and Channel B. Each channel has knobs for Gate, Threshold and Output. The Gate knob is used to control the noisegate and residual noise, the Threshold knob is control the trimming of peak signals, and the Output knob controls the overall signal output level. A 5 segment LED array is used to display the level of reduction for each channel. A defeat switch is included to switch the unit in and out and there is a power on/off switch with LED.
The rear panel features a variety of connections. A power input jack is provided for a Yamaha PA-1B, Yamaha PA-5B or Yamaha PW-100 power supply. A useful power output jack is also provided for powering further Yamaha 100 Series units. A slider switch enables you to set the sensitivity, either -10 dB or -20 dB. Standard 6.3mm jacks and RCA phono cinch connectors are provided for left and right channel inputs and outputs.
The DP 100 can be mounted in a standard 19" rack together with a second Yamaha 100 Series half-rack device using the RK101 rack adapter. I'm not sure if the power adapter is supposed to be supplied with the unit (it doesn't work without it) because I had to buy mine extra - although I included the cost of the Yamaha PA-5B power supply in the price I quoted above.
Sound Quality
:
10
The overall sound is great - the unit has totally transformed the sound of my bass guitar. The unit is especially good at ironing out the overload distortion sometimes created when pulling the lower strings. I also use a BOSS LM-2B Bass Limiter pedal (see separate review) to solve signal level problems when slapping.
Reliability
:
9
Yamaha gear is usually pretty reliable. That said, the metal half-rack case has a flimsy plastic front panel and the knobs don't feel particularly solid. Build quality appears to be OK though.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never needed to contact customer support, and don't expect to need to either. My other dealings with the company (catalogue requests etc.) have been okay though.
Overall Rating
:
9
I bought my Yamaha DP 100 brand new recently for a knockdown price. A music store was clearing out their old stock and were offering the unit pedal for less than half the regular new retail price. The original retail price was a little bit expensive though and I may well have considered other units in that higher price range. I would replace the DP100 if it got lost or stolen, although I don't think Yamaha still produce many (if any) of the original 100 Series half-rack units. The DP 100 provides great signal processing and excellent noise reduction and is a useful addition to your studio setup.
